Signature Experience Event Manager

Thanksgiving Point Institute•Lehi, UT

14h•Onsite

About The Position

Thanksgiving Point is looking for a Signature Experiences Event Manager to lead the planning and execution of some of their most beloved and highly attended experiences, including the iconic Tulip Festival, Luminaria, and other signature events. This role is for an experienced event professional who loves bringing big ideas to life. The manager will combine creative vision, strategic planning, operational excellence, and exceptional hospitality to create memorable guest experiences. They will shape these experiences from the initial idea to the final guest. The role offers the opportunity to lead iconic experiences, bring creative ideas to life, collaborate across various departments, own the full event lifecycle, make a visible impact, grow event leadership experience, and be part of a nonprofit organization dedicated to learning and the wonders of the natural world.

Requirements

Experience managing large-scale or complex events from planning through execution.
Organized project management skills to keep many moving pieces on track.
Confident leadership to bring people together around a shared vision.
Problem-solving skills and the ability to stay calm and resourceful when plans change.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
Creativity and fresh ideas combined with an understanding of operational details.
Deep care for hospitality and creating exceptional guest experiences.
Comfort managing budgets, vendors, timelines, and competing priorities.
Enjoyment of collaborating across departments and working with a wide variety of people.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays when event schedules require it.
Comfort spending significant time on-site during events and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and stand for extended periods during event setup and breakdown.
Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Business, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proven experience managing large-scale events, preferably in cultural, community, entertainment, hospitality, nonprofit, or similar settings.
Experience leading teams, vendors, contractors, and/or event partners.

Nice To Haves

Experience matters to us, but so does what you bring to the table. If you have strong event leadership experience and can demonstrate the skills needed to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply even if your background doesn't perfectly match every qualification listed.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, planning, and execution of large-scale, multi-day events such as Tulip Festival and Luminaria.
Own the event lifecycle—from initial concepts and planning through setup, live event operations, teardown, and post-event evaluation.
Build detailed timelines, project plans, and operational strategies to keep complex events moving forward.
Anticipate challenges, solve problems quickly, and ensure all event elements work together seamlessly.
Collaborate with internal teams to develop unique, engaging, and immersive event experiences.
Bring fresh ideas and innovative approaches to Thanksgiving Point's signature events.
Stay current on event, hospitality, entertainment, and guest-experience trends.
Look for opportunities to continually improve the experience while staying true to Thanksgiving Point's mission and identity.
Create, manage, and monitor event budgets.
Make thoughtful decisions that balance financial sustainability with exceptional guest experiences.
Track expenses and adjust plans as needed to keep events financially viable.
Help evaluate event performance and identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
Identify, select, negotiate with, and manage vendors, contractors, and event partners.
Develop strong working relationships that contribute to successful event execution.
Coordinate partners and vendors before and during events to ensure expectations are clear and commitments are met.
Manage, mentor, and support event staff, volunteers, and seasonal employees.
Build a positive, collaborative team culture centered on hospitality, accountability, and exceptional guest experiences.
Provide clear direction and support during both planning and live event operations.
Help team members understand how their work contributes to the overall event and guest experience.
Keep the guest experience at the center of event decisions.
Ensure events are welcoming, accessible, safe, and thoughtfully designed for a wide range of guests.
Partner with internal teams to anticipate guest needs and address challenges.
Look for the small details that turn a good event into a memorable one.
Collaborate with the Marketing team to promote signature events and maximize attendance and engagement.
Provide event expertise and input on promotional strategies, content, and messaging.
Help ensure the event experience and marketing promise align.
Lead post-event evaluations to understand what worked, what didn't, and what guests experienced.
Gather feedback and insights from staff, partners, and guests.
Use data and observations to make future events stronger, more efficient, and more impactful.